January 12, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Since Whitman didn't have to wake up and go to school this morning, there was little motivation for me to climb out of bed. I did though, just a bit later than usual and started the morning. Keaton and Reagan were the only ones awake, but I did stir them when I put toothpaste on the toothbrushes.
• I decided that we would make muffins this morning and Whitman, Campbell and Keaton helped with that. It was just packages so it didn't take too long. While the muffins were cooking, we read our science and history. Then we ate while I read some of our other morning reads. We made two types of muffins-chocolate from a bag and blueberry from a box. The blueberry should have been better but the kids were quick to turn their nose up at them. When one person says something negative about the food, it quickly spreads to everyone else. Needless to say, I was not too happy about my people deciding they didn't like half of their breakfasts.
• We did our school work while Whitman sat right beside me for most of the morning. He worked on his school work most of the time. Through this homeschool journey, I have definitely learned that I am a visual learner. I can't even answer their math questions unless I see them. I have also learned that I need just a bit of quiet to think clearly (probably why I don't think that I have thought clearly in about 12 years). So for me to help someone during school, they have to be close enough to me for me to see what they are talking about-this is the reason why I often have 3 or more people sitting nearby. But that doesn't usually lead to quiet so everything is just usually crazy. Crazy or not, we do get it done though.
• Sandwiches were what was for lunch. Anderson finished with his work around 11:30, and when he looked at the clock, he said, "well, this must be a record for me." Ha! It probably was a record but he something else on his mind-finishing his Star Wars Millennium Falcon Lego set that came yesterday.
• Campbell was his buddy today, and she helped him find pieces most of the day. He would probably still be working on it, if it wasn't for her. This afternoon was busy with lots of projects, there was the Legos, Campbell cleaned her desk really well, Reagan added flowers to her new water bottle and Graham made an angel food cake. We just a crafty bunch! I actually wish that we could be crafty like that more often but all of that craftiness wore me and Campbell out.
• She was sound asleep in my bedroom when I snuck in there to take a rest too. I didn't want her to nap alone. The kids had popcorn and were fairly sedate late this afternoon. Right before we left for Nonna's house, the boys did go out to play basketball. At least, I think they were playing basketball. They had been outside for over 30 minutes when they came in sweaty and red cheeked saying that the score was 9-9. That doesn't really sound too much like a basketball score after 30 minutes though so I am not too sure.
• I guess it was my last 40th  birthday celebration tonight at Nonna's house. That kind of bums me out. I guess I do still have a trip to Memphis to claim as one of my presents but we don't even have an idea of when that will happen. Nonna had chicken enchiladas and all of the fixings along with two beautiful chocolate pies. I cut one of them and butchered it to pieces getting it out of the pan but they did start off pretty. Graham happily served his angel food cake and strawberries up and we finished his cake completely. I opened a coupon for a shopping trip with Nonna along with a Kirklands gift card. I guess I need to go and spend my gift cards this next week-that would make my birthday last a bit longer!
• Once at home, some kids showered, some kids had some medicine, and some played on their ipads and watched a bit of Shark Tank. We weren't home very long before it was time for bed. They all need their rest though the boys were looking out the window I think in hopes that it will snow tonight.

January 11, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Whitman was sound asleep this morning when I woke him up. When I mentioned that it was Ms. Stacy day, and he had to take a soup label, and he would stay for LunchBox kids, and he was bringing a Sock with Six Snakes and Spiders inside (S day), he was quick to wake up and put on his clothes.
• Once Whitman left, we heated up some waffles and pancakes for our breakfast, and I read while the kids ate. Then it was time for our work together work. I have changed around our work together stuff so we are doing a bit less each day in hopes that I give some of my slower folks some more time to finish their work.
• I did tell Robby today that Thursdays might be my favorite school day. Mondays are crazy with everyone getting back into the routine, Tuesdays are still crazy with lots to do and Fridays are bit crazier with Whitman there. Things did go well today except my little Keaton is getting herself a feisty attitude!
• Robby made spaghetti in the instant pot for lunch. It was very good-or maybe it was just hot, and we were hungry. I later used it again to make some eggs-almost blew the place up. Not really, but I was confused about which setting for something. We figured it out, and the eggs were great. I boiled a dozen but with my kids eating some and the neighbors eating some, I only ended up with 5!
• The neighbors were outside at one point today so my kids ran out. They all played in the warm sunshine and the next thing I knew, it was pouring and I was left hoping that the kids were inside of somebody's house. They were all at the neighbor's house so they were fairly dry when I drove to pick them up for Refresh.
• Everyone had a good time at church tonight. Afterwards, we headed home stopping to play the trivia game. Robby was gone when we arrived home since he was at the movies. Anderson received his new Lego set in the mail, and that is all that he could think about. He did have a few minutes to work while waiting on his shower, but he was totally bummed that I wouldn't let him stay up later to work. 
• I didn't let him to stay up and work though because it was bedtime! The possibility of a tiny bit of wintry mix tonight made the kids ecstatic even though it will probably come to nothing. Robby was home by the time I had finished tucking everyone into bed and then it was dessert time for us...I hope at least!

January 10, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Robby had to wake all of the kiddos up this morning-my people are just plain tired. We need to stick to bedtime for a few nights-maybe even move that bedtime up a little bit. Wouldn't that be a wonderful idea?
• It didn't take everyone long to get moving because Wednesday's are their favorite day of the week. Whitman just needed to clarify if it was going to be a big church day or not. I did check my phone occasionally to make sure that there were no pipes burst this morning.
• Everyone was glad to be back in their classes and just a few minutes before our lecture was over, I quietly stepped out. I snatched up the kids and met Robby at At Home. Their Christmas merchandise was moved to 75% off, and I wanted a Christmas tree,
• Since my tree is 21 years old, I think I deserve a new tree. Not only did we leave with a new tree but we also left with new trees for the kids rooms. They also were in need of new trees. I also bought wrapping paper and a pitcher. Robby bought a light thing and some packing bags. The kids bought 2 nutcrackers, 2 stars for the top of their trees, an orange Christmas tree and an elf parking sign. The kids were having just as much fun as Robby and I were shopping.
• After loading up the back of the car, we ran over to Rock Creek to meet our buddies. They were already playing there and it didn't take too long for my crew to catch up. Everyone had lots of fun playing there today.
• When we did finally leave, after staying longer than usual, we ran to Dairy Queen for our weekly Blizzards. And these were the worst ones ever. I could have poured everyone out and the lady didn't even try to flip them. Urgh. They are free and all, but it was just ridiculous.
• Once we made it home, we emptied the car and the kids had some downtime. I did send Campbell to rest since she is still not up to par. Everyone else was fairly quiet this afternoon except for Whitman. He spent his time bouncing on a ball and making magnet creations that he would distribute to everyone.
• I did join Campbell in her nap for a tiny bit, but then I jumped up to make supper for the crew. By the time that supper was ready, we didn't have too much time to eat. On the way to church, I ran into the library while the kids finished a book on tape. Then we rushed on to church for the evening.
• Everyone had lots of fun, and when we did make it home Robby had cookies ready for everyone. The kids changed clothes and then had a few minutes to watch the Hogs before we sent them to bed at halftime. 

January 9, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Anderson and Graham were the only ones awake this morning. They were both quietly playing on their ipads and had not been up that long when I walked through looking for Whitman. I headed upstairs to wake him up and to help his sisters wake up before it was their breakfast time.
• Whitman put on his clothes with quite a bit of prompting from me. He is just sometimes in his own little world and would take forever to do anything if we would let him. We managed to get him in the car and off Robby took him to school.
• Robby worked in Conway today so the house was a bit quieter than usual. It is odd but we do seem to quieter when he is not here or maybe I am not so worried about all of the noise that we make. 
• Campbell is a bit under the weather-she still has her cough that she has had forever along with a sore throat which Robby is also battling. She doesn't have any fever but was just a bit pitiful all day long. By 11:30, she was even asleep. I was going to let her sleep through lunch, but she woke up but barely ate anything for lunch.
• School went well today and the kids plugged on through their school work finishing everything. Anderson was even finished before lunch-well, I hope that he really did finish everything and not just "forget" something. I am pretty sure he did finish it all.
• Before lunch Reagan started cleaning her desk and Keaton followed Reagan's lead. The only difference is that Keaton needs help to clean her desk so I helped her after we had finished our lunch. Thankfully, it didn't take too long, and her desk looks so much better now. 
• Once the desks were clean, we made a little care package for a friend with the flu. The girls through together a pretty cute little box with only stuff from our pantry. When I was on the treadmill today, the kids hung out in their rooms. I think that they all had big times playing with their google minis.
• Soon it was time for us to load up and go to basketball practice. Since Campbell was kind of puny-ish (which could have been due to us keeping her up crazy late last night watching the football game), I gave her the option to stay at home, but she said that she felt fine and wanted to go. 
• Robby picked up Whitman who had spent the afternoon at Grannymom's house. My basketball folks practiced while I walked on the track some. Then we headed home for supper which Robby had waiting on us. Supper was good and warm and afterwards the kids all showered. 
• We had a few minutes of downtime before it was bedtime. Robby spent that time working on the fridge door which is falling completely apart-it is always something! The kids went to bed and Whitman was very upset at bedtime that he didn't get to play more. We reminded him that he played all day long at school, at Grannymom's and then here at home before we came home but that didn't seem to appease him!

January 8, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Monday morning and what a Monday morning it was! I have 2 little girls that I am about ready to ship off to boarding school. Everything I told Keaton caused her to have a fit, and everything that I told Campbell caused for her to talk back to me. I was just about ready to lose my ever loving mind!
• But let's start early in the morning. Whitman was up and asked quickly if he could work on his shapes. The big kids all have a new ipad game that is drawing a picture by filling in tiny blocks. It is all pretty intricate and takes a while, and Whitman loves it. I had to drag him away from his ipad to put his clothes on him and throw him in the car.
• The rest of us poured our cereal, and they listened as I read to them. Then we did a bit of work together before I let everyone go to work on their own school work. Things went fairly well-for a Monday. 
• After most school work was finished, we went to work on straightening downstairs and making our lunches. We had just bought bread the other day but for some reason we are already out of bread after today's lunch. We didn't even have Whitman eating with us for lunch. Maybe I should start making my own bread-I really wanted to do that a few years ago but never succeeded.
• When lunch was over, I worked on hanging a picture with the boys. They both used a hammer and it was pretty entertaining to watch. I think that will need lots of tool lessons in the near future. Keaton and Campbell were having a fight about their Shopkins. I told them that they would have to sit in their room and play Shopkins until 2 quietly. You would have thought that I had beat them the way that they were screaming. It was so loud that Robby had to come upstairs and intervene.
• I cleaned the shower and soon Nonna and Pops arrived with Whitman. He had had a good day and was excited to be home. Nonna had made a cranberry orange bread, and it was yummy. Once they left, I headed up to the treadmill and soon Campbell and Keaton were back at it again. This caused everyone to be sent to bed which meant that the rest of my treadmill time was peaceful!
• When I finished, Robby and I started working on supper. We had leftover fish, fish sticks, corn (made with the instapot), leftover beans and cornbread. I think that everyone enjoyed our supper, and I was pleased with our corn. We figure that doing it in the instapot takes just about as long as boiling the water and then boiling the corn, but once I put it in I never had to look at or think about it again which was a definite plus. (We still have a bag of beans to try later this week or next week.)
• After we ate, everyone put on their pjs-well, everyone really already had on their pjs except for Whitman. Then we just set around waiting for the championship game to start. Once it started, the kids paid pretty good attention to it.
• At one point, I walked through the kitchen and Campbell, Keaton and everyone else in there looked up and hollered. I assumed they were doing something for my birthday (like putting Happy Birthday on the cake that we were about to eat) but still ran on out of the room.
• At halftime, the Wilson's came over to celebrate my birthday. Shannon brought cookies, Robby pulled out an ice cream cake and ice cream, and I reluctantly pulled out my peanut butter candy from Grannymom. (Reluctantly, because I didn't want to share it at all.)
• We ate and ate and soon were all back in the living room watching the ballgame. The kids cheered, shouted and squealed during the game. No one seemed tired and the kids just got louder during overtime. We had said that we weren't going to let the kids stay up late but goodness, they would have missed a pretty exciting ending if they had gone to bed.
• When the game was over, we said bye to the Wilson's and looked at the tiny bit of snow falling from the sky. Too bad it isn't lots more snow than just this little tiny bit. The kids picked up and then went to bed. It was late, but it was a fun evening. 

January 7, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• Church morning and Campbell was the first one awake. She laid in bed with us stalling picking out her clothes because she wanted for me to go upstairs and help. I did help her pick out her clothes. 
• Keaton also found a beautiful Sunday coat in her closet and picked it out to wear. Bless, my child thought that wearing that coat and an undershirt and leggings would be okay. I had to explain to her that she had to wear real Sunday clothes under her coat. She reluctantly did but never took her coat off while at church. I am sure she was burning up!
• I french braided Keaton and Campbell's hair and Reagan has me do a quick little braid in her hair. After doing all of that hair in a hurry, I am always glad that I have 3 boys too. I don't think that I would be able to make it to church in time if I had anyone else's hair to work on.
• Church and Sunday school and then we headed to Grannymom's house to celebrate my birthday (I am celebrating all month long.) We had Mexican food for lunch and then apple dumplings and Shelley's famous peanut butter candy for dessert. Except the peanut butter candy was just for me! It was a present of the best kind. I had said at Christmas that I wanted it for my birthday, and Virginia remembered. Afterwards, I opened my other presents-gift card, dish towels, a hand sander, cricut vinyl and decorating bags.
• We then ran to At Home since we are daily checking for their Christmas to be marked to 75% off. Then it was home for a wonderful Sunday afternoon nap. The kids were quiet (kind of) and we slept for a good long while.
• For supper, we cleaned out the fridge and surprisingly, there was plenty for everyone. We did have the squirt cheese and crackers. Whitman likes for me to write words on there for him to read. He does know a few sight words but now, I am able to write little words that he can sound out like "am." That reading book is already paying off.
• After supper, we watched a documentary about a chess player. It was thrilling tv-actually, it was pretty interesting, and everyone watched it for the most part. Then it was bedtime for the kids-school tomorrow and our first full week back in a routine!

January 6, 2018-Happy Birthday Tara!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Campbell was one of the first ones awake this morning and joined us in our bed. Her morning routine (and mine too) is to look on my phone to check if snowing is coming in the next 10 days. After a bit, Campbell went to put on her uniform and Robby and I got ourselves ready.
• Once everyone else was ready, it was time to begin my birthday celebration. I blew out candles on one of my favorite things-a cinnamon roll cake from Sams. They are not always there but if you see one, buy it because it will be the best 5 dollars you have ever spent.
• Everyone sang to me and after blowing out my candles, Robby quickly passed out the cake while I opened my presents. Keaton gave me some holiday signs that she has already given to me once but took off of my desk earlier this week. Campbell had me hot chocolate and a package of reeses pieces. She also included a coupon book full of things that she loves doing-"I will go shopping with you, I will bake with you"...but my favorite was "I will take a nap wiht you." 
• Graham also gave me coupon slips which I will indeed cash in. Anderson excused himself for a bit and came back with a card. Reagan had a tiny intricate card that she had made. Whitman was a bit disappointed that he had not made a card but did have Reagan help him make one later in the day, and he was so proud to give it to me.
• Robby gave me an instant pot, a seat warmer and a trip to Ikea and the Cheeecake Factory. Just about the time that I finished opening the presents, it was time to load up and head to Campbell's basketball game.
• It took a bit for the girls to get warmed up but when they did, Campbell was on fire. She scored 8 or more points. It was pretty interesting watching the girls play-they would shoot the ball about 10 times for every time they scored. It was quite entertaining. I do believe that this was the first time in a few games that Campbell's teal won their game.
• On the way home, we stopped by Kroger and spent quite a few minutes in there. It was wonderful-lots of sales and plenty of time to browse. If we would have stayed any longer, I would have counted our Kroger trip as a birthday present.
• Back at home, we unloaded the groceries, ate some crackers, cheese and sausage for lunch, and played with my new instant pot. Today we took it slow and made some hard boiled eggs. It took about the same time as cooking them on the stove but required less attention-except we stared at it the entire time. 
• Soon we were back in the car for the boys' ballgame. Anderson scored 8 and Graham scored 4. Graham is quite a bit shorter than the other boys so when he was able to score, his fan club let out a thunderous roar.
• And after the boys won their game, we headed back to Kroger to pick up a few more sale items. As soon as we were home, Campbell and I turned back around and headed to a birthday party. One of the girls from her team had a party at River City, and Campbell had a blast. She left begging me to sign her up for gymnastics. 
• Then we zoomed back home long enough for me to shower and the Wilsons to come over to ride with us. We first dropped off the kiddos to Grannymom's house while the Wilsons, Robby and I headed to Heights Taco and Tamales.
• Their tomato marmalade is my favorite. All of the food was delicious especially their pulled pork tacos and that tomato marmalade and we left completely full. It was wonderful, but we were too full for dessert.
• After picking up the kids, they were quick to let us know that they were not too full for dessert. We served up ice cream for them before bedtime for everyone. It was a pretty great 40th birthday for me! (But I am sure not done celebrating and plan to continue my celebration for the next few days...or weeks!)